American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 Elects New Officers

Submmitted release

American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 has elected Chris Conlin as Post Commander to succeed Andrew J. Battistone.

Commander Conlin joined the American Legion in 1982 and most recently served as Vice Commander of Post 96. He enlisted in the Army in 1971 and served in Vietnam with the 198th and 11th Light Infantry Brigades of the Americal Division and later in a Recon Team with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade before returning to the U.S. in 1972. Upon release from active duty in 1973, Commander Conlin served with the 76th Army Reserve Unit in West Hartford, CT. 

1n 1980 Commander Conlin joined the Connecticut State Police and initially served as a patrol trooper with Troop H in Hartford. In his 20 year career with the Connecticut State Police Commander Conlin had numerous assignments in patrol throughout the state.

Other members elected to Post 96 positions include Senior Vice Commander Moe Fradette, Junior Vice Commander Brendan Boyle, Judge Advocate Robert Hyland, Finance Officer Ray Gmeindl, Chaplain Barry Leghorn, Executive Committeemen Jeff Cole and Brendan Roberts, and Board of Trustees Andy Battistone, Rocco DiTarranto, John Farrell, Richard Hennessey, Andrew Lutz, David Lutz and William Readon.

With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

The American Legion of West Hartford is open to military veterans who have served honorably during a wartime era and military personnel currently on active duty. Further information is available at www.post96.org or visit Hayes-Velhage Post 96 at 45 Raymond Road, West Hartford, CT. 06107, phone 860-233-9029.